Program Overview
This BA program in Primary Education with Music Specialism (QTS) equips students to become primary school teachers with a focus on music education. Through coursework and practical placements, students develop their musical skills and gain expertise in leading music lessons, including performing, improvising, composing, and conducting. Upon graduation, they are qualified to teach in primary schools, pursue nursery education, or engage in music tutoring.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
Train as a subject lead in primary music, while developing your own musical skills, with BA Primary Education with Music Specialism (QTS). This course will enable you to get a job as a primary school teacher following graduation. There is a high demand for specialist primary school teachers and many of our graduates go on to become subject leaders.
Outline:
You will divide your time between studying modules on professional skills and curriculum subjects, and developing your skills as a musician. The former will introduce you to the core National Curriculum subjects, including Information and Communications Technology (ICT). Your final year will involve research engagement, developing reflective critical thinking and application of theory into your teaching practice. You will develop skills essential to the role of a teacher, including leadership, classroom management, and evaluation and assessment. You can then put these skills into practice through professional placements, which take place throughout the course. Additionally you will study professional legal requirements, and investigate the role of the teacher and how children develop. You will engage in professional studies, which include gaining school experience through teaching placements in partnership primary schools. This is a practical course that encourages you to be a musician in the classroom. In music modules, you will develop your classroom musicianship skills so that you can devise and deliver creative and inclusive music lessons for all children. This includes: performing improvising composing conducting ensemble directing. You will develop your theoretical knowledge of music, and research into music education, by investigating music teaching and learning, and reflecting on your own experiences as a student.
Careers:
As a graduate of this course you will be able to work as a teacher or teaching assistant in a primary school, or move into nursery education or music tutoring. We will provide you with careers advice throughout the course, and can also give support when preparing for interviews. Overall, 98% of our students are in work or further study 15 months after finishing their course (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20 First Degree, Postgraduate (Taught) and Postgraduate (Research) responders from the Institute of Education).
Other:
- You will have the opportunity to carry out placements throughout this course. These will take place within local schools that the Institute of Education has active relationships with. Whilst there you will be mentored by a teacher and assigned a University tutor, who will provide you with additional support.
- During your first year you will attend a weekly placement, which will familiarise you with the daily routine of the classroom and link in with your professional modules.
- You will also complete a block placement during each year of the course. You will spend four weeks in a Key Stage 1 (KS1) setting during your first year, seven weeks in a KS2 setting in the second year, and an eight-week placement in a Key Stage of your choice during the final year.
- At the University of Reading we believe that climate and sustainability education is everyone’s responsibility. This is why we have set out our vision that all initial teacher trainees should be able to access training that empowers them to effectively incorporate climate education within their teaching across all levels and subjects as part of our National Climate Education Action Plan.
New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250 New international students: £22,350
Entry Requirements:
- A Level
- BBB This degree is not included in our firm choice scheme. Our typical offers are expressed in terms of A level, BTEC and International Baccalaureate requirements. However, we also accept many other qualifications. Typical offer BBB including Music or related subject (Music Technology or Performing Arts with a music focus. Practical Music at Grade 8 or equivalent may be considered). As part of the application process for this programme, you will be required to attend an interview. International Baccalaureate 30 points overall including 5 in Music or related subject at higher level Extended Project Qualification In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) provides to students for University study, we can now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer. GCSE Grade C (4) or equivalent in English, Maths and a Science BTEC Extended Diploma DDM (modules taken must be comparable to subject-specific requirement) Other information It is an ongoing requirement for all teacher training students to have a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to ensure they are able to work with children and/or vulnerable adults. If you are offered a place on the BA (QTS) course and you accept that offer, you will need to undertake this process. There is a charge for the DBS check, which is set by the Disclosure Service. You will be required to undertake a criminal record and occupational health check. You will also need to demonstrate competence in Fundamental English and mathematics by the end of the course. This is a new DfE requirement which replaces the QTS skills tests in literacy and numeracy. Candidates must spend at least 5 days before the start of the course gaining recent and relevant experience in a state primary school in the UK. They must also have an A level grade B or 5 IB points in a subject related to music, as well as a GCSE grade C or equivalent in English, Maths and a science. A face-to-face interview is an essential part of the application process. You should be grade 6 standard, or above, on your main instrument (or voice) and have at least basic piano skills. We also accept BTEC level 3 in music related subjects.
Language Proficiency Requirements:
IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5
